Runners courageous early morning sleet for I Like Pie enjoyable run

Runners courageous early morning sleet for I Like Pie enjoyable run

Published 7:05 am Friday, November 28, 2025

The annual I Like Pie enjoyable run, organized by Cascade Lakes Relay, was off to a chilly begin as early sleet fell on Thanksgiving morning. Soon sufficient, although, the solar got here out as runners and walkers swarmed the tables, having labored up an urge for food for for a contemporary slice of pie.

“Central Oregonians are hardy people and most importantly, they’re focused on getting their run in and their pie,” mentioned Scott Douglass, CO of Cascade Lakes Relay.

Participants ran or walked via the Old Mill to the end line at Riverbend Park, clad in shiny I Like Pie hats.

“Overall, this is our biggest year yet,” Douglass mentioned, including that the occasion garnered 5,000 members. “We’re excited to see the growth of this event.”

There have been over 400 pies introduced in for the occasion from Costco, with flavors ranching from apple and pumpkin to cheesecake. There have been vegan and gluten-free choices as nicely.

Cascade Lakes Relay can also be producing the Bend Christmas Parade this yr and is planning a Mistletoe Miler household run, Douglass mentioned.

This yr, organizers introduced again the Perfect Slice problem, the place residence bakers herald their very own pies to be judged. There have been greater than 20 submissions, and Bend representatives similar to Mayor Melanie Kebler and the Deschutes County commissioners voted on one of the best pie.

Friendsgiving and pie

The occasion raised over $50,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bend.

Michael Baker, new CEO for the youth group, is wrapping up his third week within the function. He was amazed by the turnout of neighborhood assist and happy by how many individuals are alumni of the Boys and Girls Clubs.

“I had so many people, at least three dozen people, come up to me today to say welcome to Bend, we’re happy to have you,” he mentioned. “(We’re) really focusing on the youth that need us the most, really making sure they can get into our facility and not be turned away, regardless of their economic situation. This type of funding helps with that.”

Last yr, Baker mentioned, the group gave over $40,000 in youth scholarships.

Baker voted within the pie-judging contest for strawberry rhubarb pie, however mentioned his favourite taste is cherry.

Jenny and Nick Foster moved to Bend not too long ago from Iowa and mentioned they heard concerning the occasion via different races.

“It was a really fun way to see what Bend is all about,” mentioned Jenny Foster.

After the run, they picked up slices of pumpkin cheesecake pie earlier than heading off to a Friendsgiving with others who aren’t from Oregon. Inspired by their roots, the Fosters introduced midwestern macaroni and cheese (additional cheese makes the dish midwestern, she mentioned) and glazed carrots.